The reading section of the SAT is essentially a vocabulary test. With a few exceptions, if you know the word, you will probably be able to answer the question correctly. Thus, it is crucial that you improve your vocabulary. Even if you have a strong vocabulary, you will still encounter unfamiliar words on the SAT. Many students write off questions, which contain words, they don't recognize. This is a mistake. This book introduces numerous techniques that decode unfamiliar words and prod your memory of words you only half-remember. With these techniques, you will often be able to squeeze out enough meaning from an unfamiliar word to answer a question correctly.

Nevertheless, don't rely on just these techniques--you must study word lists. Obviously, you cannot attempt to memorize the dictionary, and you don't need to. The SAT tests a surprisingly limited number of words, and this book has 4000 prime candidates. Granted, memorizing a list of words is rather dry, but it is probably the most effective way of improving your performance on the verbal section. All the words you need for success on the SAT! Features: * 4000 Words defined * Word Analysis section * Sentence Completion section * 200 Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes * Concise, practical definitions.